Daredevil: Born Again Confirms The Punisher’s Justified Actions

The latest developments in Daredevil: Born Again episode 7 highlight the increasingly crucial role of Frank Castle’s brutal crime-fighting methods within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). A shock twist occurs when Heather Glenn, acting in self-defense, kills Muse, leading Mayor Wilson Fisk’s police task force to claim the credit. Despite Daredevil’s attempts to restrain Muse with his signature non-lethal techniques, he ultimately fails, leaving Heather fighting for her life.

In this episode, the official war on vigilantes is launched by Mayor Fisk. Muse’s aggressiveness against Heather serves as an ideal opportunity for Fisk to paint masked heroes as threats to the populace while promoting his private task force as the only viable solution. This growing narrative threatens to categorize vigilantes like Daredevil, the Punisher, and even Spider-Man as no better than the actual criminals.

Consequences of Muse’s Survival in Daredevil: Born Again Episode 7

Daredevil’s Inability to Prevent Muse’s Rampage

Daredevil Scene 1
Daredevil Scene 2
Daredevil Scene 3
Muse Fighting
Daredevil Scene 4

Previously, in episode 6, Daredevil urgently locates Muse’s lair to save Angela del Toro from the villain’s grasp. In a tense confrontation, he temporarily overpowers Muse, yet refrains from taking lethal action. This hesitation ultimately allows Muse to escape and continue his violent spree. Just one episode later, Muse targets Heather Glenn in her own workplace, but with Daredevil’s brief intervention, Heather manages to defend herself and fatally shoot Muse just before Wilson Fisk’s task force arrives. Detective Angie Kim works rapidly to uncover Muse’s identity, but her efforts fall short of preventing further tragedy. By the episode’s conclusion, Heather is inexplicably alive, benefiting from a narrow escape.

Muse’s Actions Affirm the Punisher’s Perspective

The Punisher: A Stark Reminder of Consequences

Daredevil and Punisher Reunion
Confrontation Between Daredevil and Punisher

In a previous episode (episode 4), a charged reunion between Matt Murdock and Frank Castle lays the groundwork for the unfolding tragedy. The Punisher reprimands Daredevil for his faith in the judicial system, expressing disbelief that criminals like Bullseye should be afforded the same rights as others. During their original encounter in Daredevil season 2, Frank articulated his concern that Daredevil’s approach only enables criminals to return to the streets, demonstrating the futility of his methods. His words resonate even louder with the series’ events:

Yeah, what do you do? What do you do? You act like it’s a playground. You beat up the bullies with your fists. You throw them in jail. Everybody calls you a hero, right? And then, a month, a week, a day later, they’re back on the streets doing the same goddamn thing!

As the plot unfolds, Daredevil’s reluctance to eliminate threats like Muse culminates in dire consequences, confirming the truth of the Punisher’s earlier warnings. Had Daredevil opted for a more lethal approach earlier, he might have prevented the atrocities that ensue in Daredevil: Born Again.

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